Thursday, May 18, 2017

Since I was small, I hated and could not relate to many of the mother’s day poems.

Classic example:

“To those mothers who buttered sandwiches, and read books over and over, and over again.
Split coconuts, or make curries, or milk goats”

Ummi was not the sole parent who buttered my ‘roti marjerin gula’ for my lunchbox. Half of the time it was Baba, while Ummi wrestled with my younger sibling.

Ummi was not always the one who read Companion of the Prophets stories to us at bedtime, as she was busy typing her PhD thesis away.

And I don’t think she ever split coconuts to cook, as she utilized packed santans to lessen her time in the kitchen.

Do these make her less a mother? Is it not enough that she carried me for 10 months, delivered me to the world in such pain, wahnan ala wahnin, difficulties after difficulties as Allah recorded in surah Luqman? She did not love us any less, and she grew us up to be determined to contribute to the society in whichever way.

Let’s stop stereotyping mothers. We have Saidatina Aa’ishah ra who gave fiqh and hadeeth classes to the society as an example, and we also have Fatimah binti Muhammad radhiallahu ‘anha who worked her hands for her family.

Both were very different, but both were dearest to our qudwah Prophet saw.

I was clingy to my sister, then Allah inflicted her with tribulations, and she was occupied. I then depended on my mother, but she too was distraught and busy with what happened in the family. What happened in our life back then, was too private for me to share to anyone. So I had to stand alone.

Now being married, I tend to rely on my husband's support, which is abundant. But even then, with all of his responsibilites, he is rarely home after work. Setiap malam keluar.

In the office, I felt so alone too. Everyone else had a team. While I was on my own, reporting to an ever busy boss. Unlike my other colleagues, I was rarely called to receive instructions, I had to brainstorm on my own, figure out things I needed to do. Which is tough for me, as I have always depended on ideas from others. When I call out for meetings, people normally give excuses, rarely attend. Leadership issues on my side, probably.

Then this morning I heard the I'm not afraid to stand alone song by Native Deen on the radio.

I shouldn't be afraid to stand alone. If Allah is by my side, as everything will be alright! It is ofcourse not easy to change, but temembering these mantras on tough days, inshaAllah Allah makes it easier. Aameen.

I am not afraid to stand alone. If Allah is by my side
I am not afraid to stand alone. Everything will be alright
I am not afraid to stand alone. Gonna keep my head up high

Friday, February 3, 2017

Housemate asked if i can drive MIL's big car to fetch the inlaws at the airport. He will drive his dad's. No way jose hubby, too many things are at stake. 😂.

So I, proudly transported them in my myvi that i pay with my own titik peluh every month. Verily, there is sweetness in earning for your own expenses.

In a separate incident, my bosses were arguing whose car is the most uncomfortable.
An audi was deemed by its owner as merely a keldai, meanwhile a bmw 7 series owner said his was a keldai keras. So I asked them, then what is my myvi?

To which Dr. Tahir replied, it is your buraq bahagia Atiqah.

He couldnt word it better. It definitely is my buraq bahagia, which has received so many parking tickets from MPSJ, been to an event to meet Rosmah, and another event to Ketua Audit Negara's. And Buraq Bahagia was denied VIP parking at both events. 😂
#amkiwrites